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NPR Criticized Over 'Inflammatory' Suspect Comparison
20 Feb
Summary
- NPR host compared suspect's appearance to an ICE agent, sparking listener backlash.
- Public editor confirmed the remark was off-the-cuff, not intentional political commentary.
- Search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie continues into its third week.
The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie, is now entering its third week. Authorities continue to search for the 84-year-old woman, who vanished from her Tuscon, Ariz., home on February 1st.
Amid the ongoing search, NPR's public editor, Kelly McBride, addressed a controversial comparison made by "Morning Edition" co-host Steve Inskeep. Inskeep had likened the appearance of a masked suspect in surveillance footage to a federal immigration agent. McBride stated that many listeners found the remark "irresponsible," interpreting it as commentary on controversial law enforcement tactics and a sign of disrespect.
McBride noted that Inskeep's comment was not scripted and was described by an NPR executive as an "off-the-cuff description." However, she expressed disappointment that NPR did not further explain the situation to its audience, suggesting it would fuel accusations of bias.
The FBI has described the suspect as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build. The search continues with multiple suspects potentially involved.
